Pueblo Chile Serving Bowl from Kewa - Santo Domingo

This Kewa Pueblo - Santo Domingo Pueblo chile serving bowl does not have the appearance of having been used for serving food at the pueblo prior to it being sold. When chile bowls have been used for serving red or green chile stew, they absorb a wonderful patina that is neither red nor green, but a warm and smooth oily look. The interior of the bowl soaks up the essence of the contents and the exterior picks up the oil from one’s hands. The clay is porous so it absorbs easily.

The interior of this bowl is slipped with red clay as is the underside of the bowl. The rim is black with a ceremonial line break. The exterior design of the bowl is a series of crescent moon elements in back-to-back positions.